While we are all busy discussing Apple suing HTC for patent infringement, we're almost forgetting that Nokia and Apple are also embroiled in about ten million lawsuits going either way. The most recent move comes from Nokia, who seeks to dismiss Apple's antritrust claims using pretty much the same arguments Apple used to counter Psystar's antitrust claims.

In court filings in December and February, Cupertino, California-based Apple claimed Nokia was using its patents to strong-arm Apple into surrendering access to proprietary technology that differentiates the iPhone from other smartphones.

- What the hell is "proprietary technology" about concepts like flicking? It's not a technology, it's an idea / algorithm. Microsoft Word is proprietary technology. Word processing is not.

Even by 2012 this patent battle should still be quite relevant, though. According to Gartner and IDC, Nokia's Symbian should still dominate the international smartphone market in 2012, with Apple battling for a very significant 4th place with Microsoft (Android Linux and RIM holding the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively).

Of course, the public would be far better served if these corporations invested in improving software technology rather than in litigation.

* Yes, it's obvious to generate XML from a Word processor long known to support forms. Software patents *discourage* innovation. End software patents NOW! http://endsoftpatents.org